English

English is delivered as a core subject to all students in Years 7-14.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

In Years 7 and 8 a primary environment is maintained and English is delivered by the form tutors working to adapted models of the National Curriculum. These models are often modified to accommodate the needs of particular groups or individuals.

In Year 9 English is taught by a team of English specialist teachers.

All students in KS3 receive 4 lessons of English per week. They continue to follow modified National Curriculum. Students study a wide range of texts; fiction and non-fiction. In lessons students have experience of working individually, within small groups and as a class.

A sensitive approach to individual needs is necessary and students have the appropriate elements of an individual program to allow literacy development at their own pace. Various appropriate support programmes are used with individual students, delivered by experienced members of staff.

Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11)

All Year 10 and 11 students study for the Step Up English qualification at Entry Level or a GCSE qualification. Students will also study for the appropriate qualification in English Functional Skills.

In Key Stage 4 English is delivered by subject specialists. The course requires students to engage with a wide range of texts from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries including literature, literary non-fiction and non-fiction texts.

Throughout the course, the students are supported in the development of their reading, writing and spoken language skills.

The course is assessed via two formal examinations and a spoken language assessment.

6th Form

Students will need to study English as a core subject until they have achieved a grade 5. As students come to us from a range of backgrounds and experiences we will seek to provide them with a programme of study which is tailored to their individual needs. At the moment, students are following the traditional Level 1 / 2 Functional Skills / GCSE pathway. In the future, suitable discrete qualifications will be added according to a student's profile and needs.